Welcome to my State Assembly campaign website. I hope that this site can help you learn more about me and help you access important voting information. After reading more about me, I hope you will consider supporting my candidacy. Please write or call me if you would like more information about my candidacy.

I was born in Mexico and immigrated to Los Angeles in 1968 with my mother and two younger siblings. My mother worked her way out of poverty first as a domestic worker, then as a waitress and finally as a seamstress. She taught us the value of hard work and instilled in me a sense that I could do whatever I wanted to do.

I was raised in the 45th Assembly District, just a block away from where my father, who was adopted by a Romanian man – hence the name Popp - was raised. After getting out of the service, my father went to Mexico where he met my mother.

I am a product of a public school system that, in the 1970's was efficient and adequately funded. I attended Dayton Heights Elementary School, Thomas Starr King Jr. High and Marshall High School. I received my bachelors degree from UCLA, a public university which I attended on multiple scholarships. I worked my way through UCLA law school. I want to dedicate my time in the Assembly in part to returning the State of California to where it was when it actually kept its promise of making a quality public education available to all our youth.

I graduated from law school in 1985 and have devoted my entire career to eliminating poverty in the low income communities in and around the 45th Assembly District.

My political awakening took place in high school when a teacher brought a young United Farm Workers Union (UFW) organizer into the classroom to talk about the dangerous conditions faced by workers in the fields. I enlisted in the movement that day and have worked tirelessly on behalf of working people, immigrants, women, children, those that live their lives with disabling conditions, and those that do not have a place to call home.

The State of California and the 45th Assembly District are facing seemingly intransigent problems including a failing education system, a failing health care system, a severe shortage of affordable housing, a transportation crisis, and economic crisis. The 45th Assembly District and the State of California need leaders with a track record for addressing serious and seemingly intransigent problems. I have such a track record. I am proud to have worked on projects with Assemblymember Jackie Goldberg and to follow her example as a bold leader. I look forward to the opportunity to continue her important work.

I welcome the opportunity to work for you as an elected representative. I want to apply my long experience fighting for community issues and my grassroots vigor to addressing the needs of all Californians and especially the needs of the people of our District.

This is a critical time for our community. Please give me your support and allow me to represent our interests with vision, strength and pride.

Thank you for your support, your financial contribution and I hope I can count on your vote to become your next representative in the California State Assembly. Voting day is June 6, 2006. Please write or call me or my campaign office if you have any special concerns.

Assembly member Jackie Goldberg and LA City Controller Laura Chick congratulate Elena Popp on her award from the Latina Lawyers Association

"As your outgoing Assemblymember, I feel a responsibility to make sure that the person who replaces me will continue my fight against the politics-as-usual ways of Sacramento. That is why I am supporting Elena Popp. Elena is by far the most experienced candidate and the one we can trust to fight for a better California."